--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Green mountains rise to the north; white…" description: "\"“Green mountains rise to the north; white water rolls past the eastern city. Once it has been uprooted, the tumbleweed travels forever. Drifting clouds..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/li-po-40047_old-friend_green-mountains-rise-to-the-north-white_2630223.jpg" --- # Green mountains rise to the north; white water rolls past… ![“Green mountains rise to the north; white water rolls past the eastern city. Once it has been uprooted, the tumbleweed travels forever. Drifting clouds like a wanderer's mind; sunset, like the heart of your old friend. We turn, pause, look back and wave, Even our ponies look back and whine.” quote by Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/li-po-40047_old-friend_green-mountains-rise-to-the-north-white_2630223.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/li-po-40047_old-friend_green-mountains-rise-to-the-north-white_2630223.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/li-po-40047_old-friend_green-mountains-rise-to-the-north-white_2630223.jpg) > ““Green mountains rise to the north; white water rolls past the eastern city. Once it has been uprooted, the tumbleweed travels forever. Drifting clouds like a wanderer's mind; sunset, like the heart of your old friend. We turn, pause, look back and wave, Even our ponies look back and whine.”” [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Paints vivid natural imagery and reflective journey, ending with nostalgic longing. **In simple terms:** Nature imagery reflects inner wandering. Key Takeaway Embrace change, cherish memories. Themes nature reflection nostalgia journey Mood melancholic contemplative Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - travel - personal growth - creative writing Key Concepts impermanence mindfulness poetic symbolism Questions to Reflect On - What does the tumbleweed symbolize? - How does nature influence mood? A Different Perspective Romantic idealism may overlook practical concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Old friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-friend/) [White water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-water/) ## Related quotes > [Harry looked down and saw deep green mountains and lakes, coppery in the sunset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/harry-looked-down-and-saw-deep-green-mountains-and-lakes-coppery-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am asked why I live in the green mountains; I smile but reply not, for my heart is at rest. The flowing waters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-bai/i-am-asked-why-i-live-in-the-green-mountains-i-smile-but-reply-not/) [Li Bai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-bai/) > [I gazed upon the glorious sky And the green mountains round, And thought that when I came to lie At rest within the ground,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-c-bryant/i-gazed-upon-the-glorious-sky-and-the-green-mountains-round-and/) [William C. Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-bryant/) > [Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky, a dream come true, I'll live there til I die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/hills-of-forest-green-where-the-mountains-touch-the-sky-a-dream-come/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [“Amie’s mind is like a glittery tumbleweed: It sometimes touches ground, but usually it spins along a few feet in the air.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolie-sikes/amie-s-mind-is-like-a-glittery-tumbleweed-it-sometimes-touches-ground/) [Jolie Sikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolie-sikes/) > [I am a tumbleweed. I don't have a company. I don't have a staff. I don't own anything - I've never owned a car…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bennett-miller/i-am-a-tumbleweed-i-don-t-have-a-company-i-don-t-have-a-staff-i-don-t/) [Bennett Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bennett-miller/) > [A lazy part of us is like a tumbleweed. It doesn’t move on its own. Sometimes it takes A lot of Depression to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bly/a-lazy-part-of-us-is-like-a-tumbleweed-it-doesn-t-move-on-its-own/) [Robert Bly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bly/) > [The legendary tumbleweed is really a nurse crop that protects the growth of prairie grasses under its shade, and then sacrifices itself and blows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-predock/the-legendary-tumbleweed-is-really-a-nurse-crop-that-protects-the/) [Antoine Predock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-predock/) > [“BAD PEOPLE" A man told me once that all the bad people Were needed. Maybe not all, but your fingernails You need; they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bly/bad-people-a-man-told-me-once-that-all-the-bad-people-were-needed/) [Robert Bly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bly/) > [Rivers must have been the guides which conducted the footsteps of the first travelers. They are the constant lure, when they flow by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/rivers-must-have-been-the-guides-which-conducted-the-footsteps-of-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Time was a funny thing... Instead of marching in at a measured pace, it seemed to flow like a river. Quiet days pooled together,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thea-harrison/time-was-a-funny-thing-instead-of-marching-in-at-a-measured-pace-it/) [Thea Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thea-harrison/) > [In the Himalayas, I spent some of the most exhilarating moments of my life, shooting white water rapids in a kayak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backshall/in-the-himalayas-i-spent-some-of-the-most-exhilarating-moments-of-my/) [Steve Backshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backshall/) > [Nature seemed to have adorned herself for our departure with a profusion of fringes and curls, mingled with the bright tints of flowers, reflected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/nature-seemed-to-have-adorned-herself-for-our-departure-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I gave my heart to the mountains the minute I stood beside this river with its spray in my face and watched it thunder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-gave-my-heart-to-the-mountains-the-minute-i-stood-beside-this-river/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“Though sword shall be rusted, And throne and crown perish With strength that men trusted And wealth that they cherish, Here grass is still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/though-sword-shall-be-rusted-and-throne-and-crown-perish-with/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) ## More by Li Po > [“A pity it is evening, yet I do love the water of this spring seeing how clear it is, how clean; rays of sunset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/a-pity-it-is-evening-yet-i-do-love-the-water-of-this-spring-seeing/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“When the hunter sets traps only for rabbits, tigers and dragons are left uncaught.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/when-the-hunter-sets-traps-only-for-rabbits-tigers-and-dragons-are/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“No one understands now. Those who could hear a song this deeply vanished long ago.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/no-one-understands-now-those-who-could-hear-a-song-this-deeply/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“He who neglects to drink of the spring of experience is likely to die of thirst in the desert of ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/he-who-neglects-to-drink-of-the-spring-of-experience-is-likely-to-die/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain remains.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/we-sit-together-the-mountain-and-me-until-only-the-mountain-remains/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“From the east a spring breeze is touching us, passing by, And so in the goblet in the green wine tiny ripples are formed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/from-the-east-a-spring-breeze-is-touching-us-passing-by-and-so-in-the/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“On Drinking Alone by Moonlight Here are flowers and here is wine, But where’s a friend with me to join Hand in hand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/on-drinking-alone-by-moonlight-here-are-flowers-and-here-is-wine-but/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“My little boat is made of ebony; My flute stops are pure gold. Water loosens stains from silk; Wine loosens sadness from the heart.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/my-little-boat-is-made-of-ebony-my-flute-stops-are-pure-gold-water/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“The birds have vanished down the sky. Now the last cloud drains away. We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/the-birds-have-vanished-down-the-sky-now-the-last-cloud-drains-away/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) > [“Amongst the flowers I am alone with my pot of wine drinking by myself; then lifting my cup I asked the moon to drink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-po/amongst-the-flowers-i-am-alone-with-my-pot-of-wine-drinking-by-myself/) [Li Po](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) [Explore all 11 Li Po quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-po/) ## More Old friend quotes > [“Every murderer is probably somebody’s old friend,” observed Poirot philosophically. “You cannot mix up sentiment and reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/every-murderer-is-probably-somebody-s-old-friend-observed-poirot/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [“Sometimes sadness does not have a source. 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Waiting at the airport for an old friend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/all-this-waiting-waiting-for-the-rain-to-stop-waiting-in-traffic/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [I love it when you can talk to an old friend for the first time in a long while and its like nothing has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-it-when-you-can-talk-to-an-old-friend-for-the-first-time-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life's Highs... 1. Laughing hysterically 2. Dancing your heart out 3. Star gazing 4. Shopping 5. Going to the beach 6. Listening to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/life-s-highs-1-laughing-hysterically-2-dancing-your-heart-out-3-star/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“In the gravedigger scene in act V, Hamlet looks upon an anonymous skull and jokes that even Alexander the Great decomposed into dust that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/in-the-gravedigger-scene-in-act-v-hamlet-looks-upon-an-anonymous/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) > [“you see,' said Little Dorrit's old friend, 'this young lady is one of our curiosities, and has come now to the third volume of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/you-see-said-little-dorrit-s-old-friend-this-young-lady-is-one-of-our/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“Bloomsbury lost Fry, in 1934, and Lytton Strachey before him, in January 1932, to early deaths. The loss of Strachey was compounded by Carrington’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goldman/bloomsbury-lost-fry-in-1934-and-lytton-strachey-before-him-in-january/) [Jane Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goldman/) > [My name is Nwori Joshua and I am the world's most sorrowful young man on earth and the world's biggest Jerk. I sought for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nwori-joshua/my-name-is-nwori-joshua-and-i-am-the-world-s-most-sorrowful-young-man/) [Nwori Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nwori-joshua/) > [“A wet cigarette butt clung to my cheek like a mashed cockroach. I could smell whiskey and beer in my clothes and Gable’s blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lee-burke/a-wet-cigarette-butt-clung-to-my-cheek-like-a-mashed-cockroach-i/) [James Lee Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lee-burke/) > [“The chief quartermaster on the West Coast, Robert Allen, an old friend of Grant’s, learned he was holed up in a cheap miner’s hotel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/the-chief-quartermaster-on-the-west-coast-robert-allen-an-old-friend/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [“Beware the road outside your door, for it is all at once old friend and passing stranger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-w-cooper/beware-the-road-outside-your-door-for-it-is-all-at-once-old-friend/) Loren W. Cooper > [Old wine, and an old friend, are good provisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/old-wine-and-an-old-friend-are-good-provisions/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) [Browse all 359 Old friend quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-friend/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Green mountains rise to the north; white water rolls past the eastern city. Once it has been uprooted, the tumbleweed travels forever. Drifting clouds like a wanderer's mind; sunset, like the heart of your old friend. 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